Student Affairs

Matthew Vines will present “God and the Gay Christian” at 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, in the Student Union Theater. The Multicultural Resource Center is sponsoring this free, public event.

Vines is an advocate for the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people within Christian communities and in society at large. He attended Harvard University from 2008-10, then took a leave of absence in order to research the Bible and homosexuality and work toward LGBT inclusion in the church.

The Center for Wellness Promotion and the Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Education Committee will host the annual Take Back the Night at 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 15, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center.

In this brief video, Steve Serio talks about his role as president of the student body.

Campus growth, light rail and academic resources were a few of the topics addressed by Chancellor Philip Dubois and campus administrators during a recent discussion with the student body in the Student Union Rotunda. 

The Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) will host a free, public screening and discussion of the documentary “Five Friends” at 5 p.m., Monday, March 30, in the Student Union, Room 263.

With the emergence of the term “bromance,” modern pop culture has become fascinated with male friendships. In an evolving society, there is uncertainty as to how these male friendships should appear, their importance and how they can be discussed in a masculine manner. The term “bromance” itself implies a certain awkwardness when referring to these close relationships between men.

Chancellor Philip Dubois will hold an interactive discussion with the student body at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, March 19,  in the Student Union Rotunda.  The annual “Chancellor’s Lunchtime Student Talk” is an opportunity for students to discuss current issues facing the University and direct questions to the chancellor and campus administrators.

Following the chancellor’s remarks, Student Body President Steven Serio will deliver his “State of the University” address .

The event is hosted by the Student Government Association. Free food will be provided.

Olympian Shawn Johnson, author of “Winning Balance, will share her experiences as a gold medal-winning gymnast at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 19, in Cone University Center, McKnight Hall.

UNC Charlotte students Andrew Helms and Jake Whitaker recently won the 2015 Bassmaster College Classic, held on Lake Keowee in South Carolina.

Helms, a marketing major from Monroe, said, “There were only eight teams invited to this event, and we qualified by winning the national championship (2014 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship). Though the field was small, we were able to weigh in right before the pros on the biggest stage in bass fishing. This was huge for us, as there were thousands in attendance and also many more watching live online.”

 The Student Union Art Gallery will display “Umbra,” an on-site installation by Meredith Connelly through Sunday, March 8. A free reception with the artist will be at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19; it will feature a performance by opera singer Kelly Hutchinson.

“Umbra” explores the pairing of light and sculpture with sound sensitivity. Though each sculpture is created specifically for the site, “Umbra” is a continuing series. The exhibit was first displayed at the Cornelius Arts Center last summer.

Contemporary dance company Step Afrika! will perform at 7 p.m., Monday,  Feb. 23, in the Student Union, Room 340 D-I. The event, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board (CAB), is free and open to the public.

Founded in 1994, the dance company is the first professional ensemble dedicated to the tradition of stepping. It now ranks as one of the top 10 African American dance companies in the United States.